Plastic Bottle Airplane Foldables

Introduction: Plastic Bottle Airplane Foldables

The Plastic Bottle Airplane Foldables Project provides instructions for recycling plastic, water bottles and creating a new craft project for individuals to experiment with plastic as a form of airplane modeling. Using a series of instructions, we have taken traditional models used for making paper airplanes and tested the outcomes and aviation capabilities of the model airplane using plastic bottles - a free, material available in excess globally.

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Step 1: Select a Plastic Bottle

Hint: The largest bottles made of the thinnest plastics work best.

Step 2: Plastic Bottle Preparation

Using a pair of scissors, remove the top and bottom of the plastic bottle. After removing the ends of the plastic bottle, cut the tubular plastic along the y axis from end to end so that the bottle is now a square piece of plastic.

Step 3: Flatten the Plastic Bottle

Place your piece of plastic on a hard surface (use a surface that handles heat and that is ok to get messy). Place a slightly damp paper towel over the piece of plastic. Run a hot iron over the surface, keeping the paper towel between the iron and plastic at all times, until the plastic bottle is flat.

Step 4: Let the Plastic Cool

Step 5: Select the Airplane Model

From the list of airplane foldable options included, select the model airplane to construct.